From the name itself, one can identify Maha Yoga relates to something really big, but what is Maha Yoga? Mahayoga is the first one of the three inner tantras, which emphasises on the development stage. The other 2 being Anuyoga and Atiyoga which emphasises on completion stage and synthesize stage. Maha Yoga can be further divided into two stages – Sadhana and Tantra. In this article, we will give a detailed explanation of what is Maha Yoga, where did it originate from, what is the effect of practising Mahayoga and what are the prerequisites of practising the same.
What Is Maha Yoga and How Did It Originate?
Now, what is maha yoga? Maha Yoga originated from Tibetan Buddhism and is one of the ninefold divisions of the Yogic practice. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Maha,” which means Great. Mahayoga is one of the three divisions of the Inner Tantras and is associated with alleviating inner woes, depression, agony, pain, and suffering. Yoga Maha is considered to be the superior forms of Yoga and hence the name.
Table of Contents:
- Principles Of Maha Yoga
- Components Of Maha Yoga
- How To Perform Maha Yoga
- Benefits of Maha Yoga
- Precautions of Maha Yoga
Principles Of Maha Yoga:
Before attempting Maha Yoga, one needs to be aware of certain principles:
- The foremost aspect of starting Siddha Maha yoga is to have the dormant Kundalini energy awakened by a Guru, who is a Siddha Yogi.
- The energy from the Guru will be transmitted into the disciple; a phase called the Shaktipat.
- It is important for the aspirant to have complete faith in the Guru.
- The aspirant need not be physically present near the Guru to achieve the Shaktipat phase.
- Yoga is available to all persons irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, age, and gender.
- The aspirant must make sure that he/she dedicates at least one hour to perform Yoga.
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What Are The Components Of Maha Yoga?
Mahayogasiddha yoga comprises of a set of practices including the asanas, pranayamas, and mudras. Read on to know about them in detail:
1. Maha Yoga Postures:
The Maha Yoga postures train your body in such a way that you feel will calm and relaxed. It will free you from all tensions and release all negative energies if they exist. You will experience a very calm, serene, and balanced state of mind that will improve your metabolism and provide strength to your body.
2. Pranayama:
Pranayams come from the word Prana. Prana is considered to be the most important thing of anything. This maha yoga pranayama will remove all toxins from your body, which will lead to the proper development of the nervous and the glandular system. People going through tension and pain will find a lot of relief in doing this.
3. Devotion:
Maha Yoga calls for the techniques of devotion. This will bring about peace, harmony, and a feeling of brotherhood and love. All the troubles that man faces in this world are because of the lack of love, and Yoga efficiently fights this kind of problem.
[See More: Prana Yoga]
4. Meditation:
Meditation is a natural state of mind that all of us possess. You do not need to go and have some kind of special knowledge or understanding to meditate. This removes all fear and anxiety from the mind and guides people through all their physical, mental, and social conditions.
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How To Perform Maha Yoga?
Check out the steps below to prepare your body, mind, and soul for Maha Yoga:
1. Prepare Yourself:
To do Yoga, it is very important for you to prepare yourself. The first thing you need to do is to find a place that is comfortable and relaxing; a place that is free from noise and chaos. Then choose a proper yoga mat so that you can practice. This is very vital for your yoga sessions.
2. Choose a Time Frame:
To practice anything in life, you should have a proper time frame. If you are beginner, fifteen to thirty minutes should be ideal for you. You can take longer if you are comfortable with it. Since time is very crucial, you should use it efficiently. However, it is not always possible because of the busy and hectic schedules.
3. Rules for Maha Yoga:
The rules of Maha Yoga are very rigid. You need to keep your eyes closed and breathe deeply throughout the session. Place your hands on your knees as this will increase your concentration level. Try to feel the energy around you and let it enter your body and rejuvenate you from head to toe. Relax and begin with the poses.
[See More: How to Start Yoga At Home]
4. Concentrate:
For a beginner, it is not always possible to concentrate. It is natural for your mind to shift in different directions, but do not suppress them. Instead, you must try and shift your concentration to the other parts of your body. Focus on the energy that runs through your body and mind.
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Benefits of Maha Yoga:
Maha Yoga is known for its several benefits.
- You will be able to control yourself better when you start practising Maha Yoga.
- It enhances your concentration levels and endurance capacity.
- Yoga promotes good sleep and quality thoughts.
- It helps you take full control of your body and mind.
- It brings about an overall improvement in your mind, body, and soul.
Precautionary Measures and Contraindications:
It is important to observe the following rules before performing MahaYoga:
- You should have an intense desire to achieve your spiritual goals before taking up Yoga.
- Strict dietary rules must be followed when practising Maha Yoga.
- Mind-altering substances like tobacco, alcohol, meat, onion, and garlic are to be avoided completely.
- One hour for meditation practice must be allocated by the person every day.
Maha Yoga is not associated with any religion. It is a complete spiritual experience, which can help in rediscovering yourselves. Practising Maha Yoga everyday enables you to overcome the bandhas or attachments from past and present lives. As the days progress, you can peel these layers off your life to prevent pain, suffering, and agony. Once you get over the attachments and aversions in your life, you will achieve the Gurutattwa state. We hope this article helped you understand the complexities of Yoga and has inspired you to take it up in the future.
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Thus the objective of Maha Yoga is to make us aware of our spiritual existence, which is way beyond the awareness about the existence of body and mind. The Kundalini Shakti or in other words the Chaitanya Shakti is present in every one of us, but is dormant or sleeping. By practising the Yoga, one can awaken the Kundalini Shakti. However, a lot of purification is required before one can practice Maha Yoga.
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers:
Q1. Is Maha Yoga connected to any religion?
Ans: Though Maha Yoga is a part of Tibetan Buddhism, there is no connection with any religion. It is purely a spiritual practice that aims for the upliftment of the soul.
Q2. What is the connection between Maha Yoga and Ramana Maharshi?
Ans: Ramana Maharshi is famous for his concept of self-inquiry. He is the one who propagated Maha Yoga – A simple tool that helps us question and understand our inner self. Maha Yogaramana maharishi is also a book or the Upanishadic Lore in the light of the teachings of Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharshi.
Q3. How to know if Maha Yoga is right for me?
Ans: There are different meditations and various approaches to yoga and meditations available. You can try any or all of these. You can also try Maha Yoga. The path in which you feel contented or get an instinct that it is right for me is the right path for you, but remember that all the approaches have one common goal, and that is to make you aware of your inner self and get in touch with Prana Shakti, which is achieved through rigorous long term practice.
